I do not own OUAT.
6. Puppy Love
"Remember children." "We have to be really gentle with the puppies." Mary-Margaret softly addressed her class as David finished his speech and began to unfasten the three pet carriers containing the rambunctious Labrador pups.
The puppies immediately surveyed their new surroundings albeit from the comfort of the sky blue towel put, down by the teacher in a perhaps futile attempt to avoid accidents.
"Who wants to go first?" David asked eagerly
"Me please!" Lilly Brown asked politely. The children had formed a bit of line to each have some time with "The Three Musketeer's" but, to be honest neither David or Mary-Margaret minded that this had already turned into fun chaos because let's face it what child will wait to play with three adorable ten week olds?
David scooped up the chocolate brown pup that was closest to him and eased her into Lilly's arms as she wriggled and licked the young girl.
"This is Penny. She's a cuddler." He smiled as all the children surrounded Lily and Penny and each took turns petting her.
"And this…" He marvelled at the inquisitive little tyke already working his way up onto the technicians lap and halfway up his shoulder before he is eventually caught. "Is Paddy. He's my little adventurer."
"Here you go." "Watch him now or he'll be off like a shot."
"There you go Thomas." Mary-Margaret said full of pride for the shy ten year old.
Suddenly Mary-Margaret felt herself kneeling down on the towel as the smallest puppy started to approach nervously.
"And who are you?" She cooed as the young bitch nestled herself in the teacher's lap leaving David and the children more than a little spell-bound.
"This is Phoebe. She's the youngest and as you can see unlike her sister and brother in her colouring."
"She's Golden." The children exclaim.
"She's precious aren't you little Phoebe?" She whispers slowly rising to her feet so the children can all pet her.
"What will happen to them Mr Nolan?" Jack Mitchell asks.
He rises to his feet.
"Well, Paddy and Penny will go to Ruby and Granny but, I have to find another home for Phoebe."
"Miss Blanchard." The children sing as if they have had a "Eureka" moment.
"Oh no… I can't... We can't…" She tries looking at David who just gives one of those "I love you" looks as the children help to put the others back in their carriers.
"Well Phoebe, looks like you're coming home with me." She says as the children cheer.
The school bell rings. "Everybody, let's say thank you to Mr Nolan for coming." Mary-Margaret says passing Phoebe over to him.
"THANK YOU MR NOLAN."
"My pleasure." He turns to the class and smiles.
"Now everyone have a wonderful weekend and DON'T forget to wash your hands on the way out. CLASS DISSMISSED!"
The class happily leaves within seconds so only their teacher, her boyfriend and the now secured puppies are left.
As she folds the fortunately clean towel away in the closet she says: "Did my kids and the man I love just tag-team me into adopting a puppy?"
"We just gave you a little nudge!"
"Little nudge? Baby, a skunk is more subtle."
"A skunk. Are you calling me a skunk?"
"If the shoe fits." She says closing the closet and moving to be near him acutely aware that with both hands full with now sleeping puppies. He can't retaliate… Yet.
"You were great today." Mary-Margaret runs her hands up her newly 22 year old boyfriend's chest and links them around his neck lovingly.
"Your class is amazing. I've never seen so many kids be so actively involved before."
"They're such good kids." She kisses him three; four, five times to properly thank him for today though, the sixth kiss is just for fun.
"Mmm. I have to take these two back so that Ruby can pick them up later walk with me and we'll sign the adoption papers for Phoebe?"
"Let's go!" She says enthusiastically pulling him into a gentle but, brisk stroll.
….
Half an hour later and 250$ lighter between the two of them. The adoption papers, dog food, basket, collars, leads and vaccination appointments are all paid for and signed but, there's just one question that Nina David's boss has to ask.
"Who will be Phoebe's owner so that I know who to contact about a house check?"
"Well... I will…" She starts but, feels David's hand firmly in hers. "We will" he corrects.
"Just a second Nina." She pulls David aside for a moment.
"We. David you want to share custody of a dog and date me?"
"You make it sound so nuts." He says humourlessly. "Well it kind of is. We've been dating for nine weeks and we don't live together."
"But, when I'm not at work I'm with you at your apartment or you're at my mother's house. We eat together, we shower together we…"
"David." She blushes.
"Ok, the point is we basically live together without the lease every month. I could shut my eyes right now and all I'd still see is you, me our baby and Phoebe."
"You have imagined us with a baby?" She says delightfully
"In a few years." He beams back.
"When?"
"Two years from now."
"Two and a half." She negotiates with a grin.
"Done Blanchard!"
"Hang on… I'm not finished." She points to her bare ring finger not needing words to signify her intention.
"Oh that's happening." He assures her.
"And if it doesn't? If we break up who will take care of her?"
"The baby or the dog?"
"Honey c'mon!"
"She'll stay with you but, that won't ever happen." He swears holding her close.
"You're crazy…"
"Soo?"
"Nina, where do we sign?" Mary-Margaret gives up happily.
…..
"Here we are Phoebe "Home Sweet Home" the teacher sighs as they enter her apartment. She sets the puppy down on the rug.
"David, are you sure you can manage?"
"I'm good. " He says a moment later bringing in all the goods and putting them in all the right places.
He puts two bowls down one filled with water and the other puppy kibble and makes instant noodle soup for himself and Mary-Margaret who is now comfortably perched on the couch waiting for his touch.
"Thank you." She blows as he sits beside her holding her mug with one hand and spooning the first mouthful in with the other as he does the same.
"Look at her go!"
"I know. I don't think I've ever seen a dog eat so fast. David is that normal?"
"Its fine we just need to make sure she doesn't go too fast otherwise we'll be cleaning up after her and putting down a lot more newspaper than we want to."
"You will."
"Ok, I will.
…
Hours later the soup's gone and so is the dog food. David and Mary-Margaret are teasing each other as they watch their dog fast asleep in her basket which they lined with the dog pillow, blanket and ultra- absorbent cat litter underneath after her first successful walk.
"She's so cute." He says.
"We have a dog." She marvels running her fingers through his hair and placing finite kisses on his lips.
He nods.
"What's your mother up to this weekend?"
"My Aunt Violet has summoned her to New York for their annual "Sister Vacation."
"You're kidding!"
"Nope!"
"She could be gone for anything up to three- eight weeks."
"She does this every year?"
"Violet insists on it. It was a lot harder when Albert and James were alive because they didn't see the point but, we loved it."
"Why aren't you packing now then?... Ruth! God I love your mother!"
"She insisted I have some proper time with you especially if we were adopting a dog together."
"You planned this?" She says agog at his presumptuous gamble.
"I thought about it and talked to her. The kids and you did the rest."
"David Nolan you are one cool customer."
"I have been told that."
"Yeah? Well what if?"
She whispers suggestions in his ear as his interest is piqued.
"Really?"
In a flash he sweeps her up off her feet as she squeals.
"Watch your… head!"
"Oof… Sweetheart you have the smallest shower known to man!" He says in between kisses and helping her get undressed.
"Aha I know I'm sorry let me help you." She unfastens and unbuttons as he wriggles successfully until they hear the sound of their clothes hitting the floor.
"Now where were we?" David says mischievously.
…..
An hour later they are huddled up in bed when Mary-Margaret kisses his shoulder and speaks.
"David?"
"Yeah?"
"You know you could move in while your mother is away? If you want?"
"Really?"
"Really."
"You already have drawers."
"I love my drawers and I love you but, are you sure?"
"Like you and your mother were so sure of us having a dog and a baby you mean?"
"I never told her about the baby part."
"I know! I'm kidding. Of course I'm sure!"
"MA!" David kisses her fiercely.
"Is that a yes?"
"What do you think?"
Yes, Mary-Margaret knows it's only temporary but, the more she is falling in love with David and the life they have already begun to build brick by brick the more she can see herself as his Wife. And even more incredibly as a Mother. She begins to imagine that future baby, a little girl with his blonde curls and her green eyes. Their daughter and a name forms in her mind. Emma.
:) I love ,love love all your reviews so far they really, really spur me on so thank you! The moving in starts as only temporary but, they are a young couple earning reasonable income so there's a very high chance they'll be another time jump and they really will be seriously looking at the reality of life together. As #WickedIsComing I wanted to give you a little teaser the chapter after this one will jump forward a whole year and guess what? Emma may be coming sooner than they think.
P.S Couldn't resist a bit of "Puppy Love"
Xxxxxx